Evening settled over the Kothari mansion, the golden glow of lamps and fairy lights bathing the halls in a festive warmth. In her bridal attire, Raani sat before the mirror, her lehenga shimmering with delicate embroidery, her eyes lined with a mix of excitement and nervousness.
Urvashi entered quietly, her steps soft, but her gaze lingering on her daughter for a long, tender moment. For an instant, she didn't see the bride before her—she saw the little girl who once clung to her hand, who used to run across the garden with braids flying behind her.
Raani smiled faintly at her reflection. "Ma… are you crying already? I haven't even left yet."
Urvashi chuckled softly, dabbing her eyes with her dupatta as she walked closer. "How can I not, beti? Just yesterday you were that tiny girl who refused to go to school without your doll, and today you're dressed as a bride. Time has been cruel to me—it has stolen my little girl so quickly."
Raani turned, holding her mother's hands. "Ma, I'll always be your little girl."
Urvashi sat beside her, gently adjusting the dupatta over Raani's head. Her voice softened into seriousness. "Marriage is beautiful, Raani, but it is also delicate. There will be days of joy, and days when you'll feel you don't understand each other at all. In those moments, remember—relationships are not about winning or losing. They're about holding on, even when it feels easier to let go."
Raani blinked back tears, her heart swelling. "You and Papa always made it look so easy…"
Urvashi smiled with a bittersweet glint in her eyes. "It was never easy. But love, trust, and patience—they make the impossible bearable. Promise me, you will treat your new home as your own, and your husband as your partner, not your rival."
Raani nodded, her voice trembling. "I promise, Ma."
For a moment, silence hung between them, filled only with the distant sound of laughter and music from the sangeet preparations. Urvashi leaned forward, kissing Raani's forehead, whispering, "You are my pride, my blessing, Raani. And tonight, you will start your own story. But remember—you will always have a home here."
Raani wrapped her arms around her mother, the two of them holding each other tightly, unwilling to let go.
Just then, the soft jingle of anklets echoed at the doorway. Gauri entered, carrying a small tray of flowers, but her steps froze when she saw Raani dressed like a bride. Her eyes instantly welled up.
"My Raani…" Gauri whispered, walking closer, unable to hide the tears forming. "You look so beautiful today. Like a princess straight out of a dream. I'm going to miss you so much."
Raani smiled through her own tears and stood up, wrapping her arms tightly around Gauri. "Bhabhi, don't make me cry more… I need my makeup to stay!" she teased softly, but her voice broke at the end.
"I can't help it," Gauri said with a watery laugh, holding her tighter. "The house won't be the same without your laughter echoing through the halls."
At that moment, Vihaan stepped inside, his gaze falling on his little sister. His usual composed demeanor crumbled, and his eyes turned glassy. Slowly, he walked forward, his hand lifting as if hesitant to touch her, as if reality would slip away the moment he did.
"Raani…" he breathed, his voice thick with emotion. "You've grown up so fast. I still remember holding your hand on your first day at school when you were too scared to let go of me. And now… you're leaving us to start a whole new life."
Raani's lips trembled as she threw herself into his arms. "Bhaiya… don't make me cry more."
Vihaan hugged her tightly, resting his chin on her head, fighting back his tears. "No matter where you go, you'll always be my little sister. Always. And if Bharat ever makes you cry, just one word, Raani—I'll be there before your tears can fall."
Raani laughed through her tears, hugging both her brother and Gauri together. "I'm so lucky. To have a family like this."
Urvashi, watching from the side, wiped her tears silently, while Sharda and Veena exchanged tender smiles, their hearts full at the sight of this bond.
The forest grew denser as Charvi and Yug pressed forward, the fading sunlight barely reaching through the twisted canopy of trees. The footprints they had been following seemed to sink deeper into the earth, heavier, almost unnatural.
Yug adjusted his shirt nervously, muttering, "I swear, Charvi… if some demon pops out, I'm blaming you for dragging me into this."
Charvi shot him a look, though her own pulse was quickening. "You agreed, remember? My visions are never without reason. We're close—I can feel it."
The path suddenly narrowed into jagged rocks, leading them into the mouth of a dark cave. Cold air rushed out, carrying with it a stench of damp earth and something metallic—like dried blood. Both paused at the entrance, exchanging a nervous glance.
"Ladies first?" Yug whispered.
Charvi rolled her eyes but didn't argue. Holding her phone's flashlight high, she stepped inside. Yug followed closely, muttering prayers under his breath. Their footsteps echoed eerily, bouncing off the cavern walls.
As they went deeper, the air grew heavier, almost suffocating. The footprints ended abruptly before a towering shape cloaked in shadows.
Charvi lifted her light higher—and froze.
A massive stone idol loomed before them, its surface cracked and blackened as though scorched by centuries of fire. It was Kamini. The witch's face had been carved with terrifying precision, her hollow stone eyes seeming to glare down at them. Her hands stretched forward as if reaching to claim something—or someone.
Yug stumbled back, his throat dry. "Wha—what the hell is this doing here?"
Charvi's breath hitched, her body trembling. "It's her… Kamini…" she whispered. "This is Vihaan's mother . She's still here…"
The cave seemed to pulse with an unseen energy, the air vibrating faintly. Neither spoke another word, but the silence was heavy, pressing against their chests as though the statue itself was listening.
And though the idol remained silent and still, a dark, foreboding presence clung to the cave walls—watching. Waiting.